Tour '24, Final Stage: Mark's Last Trip Around

I am not afraid to admit that I thought that Mark Cavendish (Astana-Qazaqstan) would pull out of the Tour prior to the Pyrenees since he had already won the mythical thirty-fifth stage.  With no more sprint stages in which to ply his trade and add to his total number of Tour stage wins, I couldn't quite see the point.  I missed the all important one, Cav respects the Tour, the sacrifices of his team, and of his family.  There was no way he was going to pull out unless his body wouldn't let him continue.  He already had my respect, but this shows the caliber of the man both on and off the bike.  Chapeau!

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.  

"Mark's Last Trip Around TdF24-134" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 17: Off the Back, But Still Here

With little chance of figuring in any of the remaining stages and not showing up on the race for the Maillot Vert it is a bit of surprise to see that Mark Cavendish (Astana-Qazaqstan) is still in the Tour.  As the peloton started up the first of three categorized climbs, he slipped off the back with his ever-faithful teammate Cees Pol.  Jarrad Drizners (Lotto-Dstny) was another of those that found the pace too stiff on the way up the Col Bayard.  The pace had been hot all day with most teams trying to get a guy into the breakaway.  Every time a group got off the front, the teams not represented chased it down.  So, it has been a very, very hard day and they have just gotten to the climbing section of the stage.  Most of the sprinters are dropping out of the Tour, the question is, will Cav stay?  I now suspect he wants to finish what will almost definitely be his last Tour de France.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Off the Back, But Still Here TdF24-103" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 13: Into the Barriers

One of the lead-out men for Lotto-Dstny leaned heavily into Amaury Capriot (Arkea-B&B Hotels) as he went by.  When he came off of his shoulder Capriot over compensated and lost his balance.  As he lost control, he took out Cees Pol (Astana-Qazaqstan) who went head over heels and blocked the way for the Lotto-Dstny sprinter, Arnaud De Lie.  A bit ironic since the crash was caused trying to move him towards the front for the sprint.  I don't normally paint crashes, I don't want to glorify the gory of the sport, but this being the thirteenth stage, it seemed appropriate.  Many, including, Anthony Turgis (TotalEnergies) were able to avoid the flying bikes and bodies, but any that were behind the pile-up saw any chance of winning the stage go up the road.  The five-kilometer rule will mean that these guys will all get the same time as the stage winner should they be able to get up and walk or ride across the finish line.  Oddly, if they walk to the line, they must have their bike with them.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Into the Barriers TdF24-75" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 9: On to the Next Sector

The lead group hits Sector 9 of the gravel roads with another 67 kilometers to race.  They only have a little over a minute advantage on the group containing the marquees of this Tour.  Derek Gee (Israel-Premier Tech) leads Alexey Lutsenko (Astana-Qazaqstan), Jasper Stuyven (Lidl-Trek) with the other six that were in the lead group into the choking dust of the gravel roads.  I do truly appreciate the camera motos getting these shots so we can see what is happening, but they are the ones kicking up huge clouds of dust into the faces of each of the groups of riders.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"On to the Next Sector TdF24-48" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 6: Arguing His Case

Just as the crosswinds got into the peloton, Mark Cavendish (Astana-Qazaqstan) had the miss fortune to have a mechanical.  As those on the front hammered the pace to split the peloton, his chase back was made that much harder.  He did follow his team car as he paced back towards the tail of the race.  That is not allowed as he wasn't making any progress through the caravan of pace vehicles.  He did get told to get off the tail of the team car and start moving, which he did.  Once he did eventually get close to the tail, he had a discussion with the race commissaire, apparently defending his actions in the preceding kilometers.  While I don't know if he was sanctioned for sure, he did give the man a thumbs up as he rode past.  But he is now the Lantern Rouge having dropped another thirty seconds in the General Classification despite finishing the day in the peloton.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Arguing His Case TdF24-30" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 5: #35

Mark Cavendish (Astana-Qazaqstan) had won his thirty-fifth stage in the Tour de France.  After having been left off his team's rooster two years ago, he thought he may not race again.  He was then brought back by Astana last year in hopes that he could set the record in their jersey, but crashed out of the Tour without a victory in stage eight.  He was ready to hang up his cleats tied with Merckx, but Astana convinced him to return for one more go at the record.  Clearly, it was a very wise move on their part.  Now the question is, how many more will he win this year.  There are two more chances in the next three days.  And two more later before the race reaches the finale in Nice.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Tour '24, Stage 5: History Made!

I admit, I wasn't sure it would happen.  I am very happy to have been wrong!  Mark Cavendish (Astana-Qazaqstan) outsprinted the entire peloton to win Stage 5 of the 111th Tour de France!  He showed a clean pair of wheels to the new marquee sprinter, Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) who in turn showed a clean set of wheels to sprinter of Cav's era, Alexander Kristoff (Uno-X Mobility).  This means that he has now surpassed the record of 34 stage wins in the Tour by the legendary Eddy Merckx.  Chapeau!

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"History Made! TdF24-26" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 3: Leave Me Alone!

I'm not quite sure what had Mark Cavendish (Astana-Qazaqstan) all worked up.  It wasn't like his first day in the edition of the Tour.  He had stopped to get both a new front and rear wheel.  As he worked his way back to the peloton, he was followed by the TV Camera moto, which seemed to piss him off.  He first yelled at the Shimano Neutral Service car to go away, then let into the cameraman.  As Bob Roll point out, a fired-up Cavendish was usually a fast Cavendish.  Spoiler - not today!  I don't see what was so bothersome, it wasn't like he was puking his breakfast like stage one.  

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Leave Me Alone! TdF24-13" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 1: Looking After Cav

Clearly the heat, and perhaps other problems were giving Mark Cavendish (Astana-Qazaqstan) a rough start of the Tour.  As the peloton hit the first of seven climbs in the opening stage, Cav quickly dropped off the back losing huge chunks of time very quickly.  His teammates, Michael Morkov, Cees Pol, Michele Gazzoli, and Davide Ballerini dropped back to help their team leader stay as close to the main group as possible.  Shortly after I painted this, Cav went over the top of the climb, and then empty his stomach violently.  That seemed to do the trick for him, but not for Gazzoli who dropped out of his first attempt at the Tour as they started the next climb.  With another 155 kilometers to race, Cav and his teammates will be racing to get home before the time limit elimination.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Looking After Cav TdF24-2" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Down Under, Stage 5: First Ones to the Beach

When I titled this painting of the early break away, I forgot that the stage had started at the beach at Christie’s Beach.  So I guess this painting of Samuele Battistella (Astana-Qazaqstan), Johan Jacobs (Movistar), Liam Walsh (Australia), and Casper Pedersen (Soudal-Quick Step) should have been titled the “First Ones Back to the Beach.”  The break was started by Pedersen about ten kilometers into the stage.  By the time they came back to Snapper Point the foursome had built up a two and a half minute gap on the peloton with another 93 kilometers to race.  With the sting in the tail of the stage, they may have just been trying to get to the back to back climbs of Willunga Hill to finish the stage.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3996114-196-194179/Painting/first-ones-to-the-beach.-tdu24-19.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 4: Bringing the Jersey Back

I had watched the leader pull off the front of the peloton for what appeared to be a “nature break.”  Moments later I noticed Isaac Del Toro’s (UAE Team Emirates) teammate, Antonio Morgado pulled off to wait for the Ochre Jersey that demarks the leader of the Tour Down Under.  Morgado suddenly zoomed back into frame with Del Toro tucked on to his wheel as the camera filmed the tail end of the peloton.  Piet Allegaert (Cofidis) - who had crashed earlier - was struggling to hold onto the wheel of Baumé Mollema (Lidl-Trek).  Max Kanter (Astana-Qazaqstan) was another that was finding the pace of the peloton just a bit to fast for their liking.  Perhaps they were just trying to do as little as possible to be fresh for the two final tough days of the Tour.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3996038-193-194179/Painting/bringing-the-jersey-back.-tdu24-16.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 3: Pile Up

I don’t normally paint crashes, but this pile up caught my eye.  As the peloton flew down the Gorge Road back into Campbelltown, someone touched wheels and down went most of the Astana Qazaqstan team. Christian Scaroni was the first of the team to get back up on his bike.  He watched and waited for his teammates, Michele Gazzoli and Samuele Battistella, to get untangled hoping none were seriously injured.  They weren’t.  Some where under under the pile is the Australian Champion, Luke Plapp (Jayco-Alula).  Everyone was able to get back up and finish the stage, but with just ten kilometers to the line and the peloton flying to the finish, they weren’t going to be coming in with the pack.  If fact, three of them finished almost ten minutes behind the winner of the stage.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3995923-189-194179/Painting/pile-up.-tdu24-12.html

Tour de France 23, Stage 15: Making Progress

It took a long time to get a break away established today.  Finally after over thirty kilometers raced this foursome started to make a bit of progress getting of the front.  I never did catch the name of the Ag2r-Citroen rider was.  By the time my broadcast came back from the commercial break, he was gone.  But leading the group is the ever aggressive, Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal-Quick Step).  He was joined by Alexey Lutsenko (Astana-Qazaqstan) and Nils Politt (Bora-Hansgrohe).  The other three pressed on and were eventually joined by a rather large group.  In fact, at one point in the first third of that race, there were as many in the break as were chasing in the peloton behind.  With all of the climbs in the second half of the day, everyone hoped to either go for stage glory or get a head start so they would be ensured not to miss out on the time limit with the worst climbs coming at the end of the stage/

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2023/3965797-94-297438/Painting/making-progress-tdf23-94.html

 

Tour de France 23, Stage 8: No! No! No!

It is my custom to not paint crashes from any bike race, nor the consequences on the riders on the race.  Today, I made an exception.  While I had my doubts that Mark Cavendish (Astana-Qazaqstan) would be able to get his 35th all time Tour stage win, I didn't want this to be the reason.  After coming so very, very close yesterday in Bordeaux, he got tangled up in a crash with about 60 kilometers left in today's stage.  It was obvious to me as soon as I saw him reach to the front of his right shoulder I knew his Tour was over.  Cav has claimed this was his final Tour appearance.  While he change his mind?

As he got into the ambulance to head to hospital, the camera got a very lost stared seemingly not seeing what lay in his future.  He then did give us all a wry smile before the door slid shut.

A sad day for the Tour, Astana, Cav, racers, and all of us cycling fans.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2023/3964390-44-297438/Painting/no-no-no-tdf23-44.html

Tour de France 23, Stage 7: Not Yet Historical

We are all waiting to see if Mark Cavendish (Astana-Qazaqstan) is going to win that thus far elusive 35th Tour de France stage victory.  At 100 meters to go itt really looked like today was going to be the day.  But he faded just a bit and Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) was able to surge to the line for his third win in this edition of the Tour de France.  On another possible historic note, Biniam Girmay (Intermache-Circus-Wanty) almost became the first black African to win a Tour stage, but he was bested by the seasoned sprinting veteran and the Maillot Vert (naturally, the best sprinter in this Tour thus far).  Girmay was a bit frustrated and may have felt as though his sprint had been impeded by Philipsen getting through the others to claim victory.  Behind the green jersey was Luca Mozzato (Arkea-Samsic) in fourth and Jordi Meeus (Bora-Hansgrohe) in fifth.

Cav may have another chance to break the all time stage record tomorrow, but it will be another five days until the next stage that truly suits the sprinters.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2023/3964294-41-297438/Painting/not-yet-historical-tdf23-41.html

Tour de France 23, Stage 4: Time to Chat

The combination of a stage for the sprinters and no one going in the early break away made for a very leisurely stage, at least for the first 140 kilometers.  They were riding so slow at times that even I could have held onto the tail of the peloton for about 50 kilometers.  Then, I am quite sure my legs would have blown. The pace gave many in the peloton time to check in with former teammates and old friends.  It was nice to see the cameraman catch this moment between Mark Cavendish (Astana-Qazaqstan) and Julian Alaphilippe (Lotto-Quick Step).  Both guys are former World Champions on the road, although Alaphilippe held that title for two years in a row.  And both have had their problems with the director sportif of the team now known as Lotto-Quick Step.

And yes, this is the painting the Phil Liggett talked about on air during NBC's broadcast of Stage 4 of the Tour de France.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but yes international shipping is both available and extra. 

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2023/3963704-19-297438/Painting/time-to-chat-tdf23-19.html

 

Fleche Wallonne 23, Men’s Race: Getting Some Help

With just two guys up the road, Samuel Battistella (Astana-Qazaqstan) jumped out of the peloton in hopes of joining the pair.  While he had escaped the immediate grasps of the main group, he seemed stuck in the middle.  That is he was stuck until Louis Vervaeke (Soudal-Quick Step) came across.  The two then set off to finish bridging up to the other two on the front of the race.  They did get there by working together, which is far better/easier than trying to do it on their own.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $90 USD including shipping, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3946915-545-195767/Painting/getting-some-help-fw23-9.html

Paris Nice 23, Stage 8: “The Jersey Is Ours”

From the beginning of my painting Paris Nice this year, Jonas Gregaard (Uno-X) has been off the front of the peloton in search of King of the Mountain points.  Today was no different.  Today however, as he went over the third climb of the day first, he radioed back to his team car to let them know that he had won the Polka Dot Jersey of the best climber in the race.  Yes, there are two more climbs to go, but even if Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) goes over them both first, he still couldn’t catch Gregaard.  He was followed over the Cote de Berre les Alpes by Clement Champoussin (Arkea-Samsic) and David de la Cruz (Astana-Qazaqstan).  Just peeking around the corner is Oliver Naesen (Ag2r-Citroen) and the rest of the early break away.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $90 USD including shipping, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3939757-107-272742/Painting/repeat-performance.-pn23-25.html

Paris Nice 23, Stage 7: The Last Survivors

The early break of the day total nineteen at the onset of their escape from the clutches of the peloton.  However, by the time they reached the 11 kilometers to go it was just Kobe Gossens (Intermache-Circus-Wanty) and Javier Romo (Astana-Qazaqstan) were the only two still ahead of the peloton.  As they scaled the final climb of the day, the Col de la Couiollole, they had to know that their chances of making it to the finish ahead of the fast closing heads of state were extremely limited.  Still by now they simply had to see it through.  Just behind them, the Shimano neutral service car was trying to get pass them, a sure fire sign that those behind were almost upon them.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $90 USD including shipping, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3939751-105-272742/Painting/the-last-survivors.-pn23-23.html

Paris Nice 23, Stage 7: Looking Around at the Front

Javier Romo (Astana) seemed to have the better legs of his own teammate in the early break away.  He is one of five who slipped away from the other dozen as they got ready to climb the Col de la Couiollole.  Both Nils Politt (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Pascal Eenkhoorn (Lotto-Dstny) seemed to have a lot to say to Romo and Jeremy Cabot (Total Energies).  As I painted this, I noticed that Eenkhoorn had his bottle in his hand, and was gesturing to his team car (off to the left as you view this) that he needed another bid on before he started the final climb of the day.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $90 USD including shipping, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3939677-104-272742/Painting/looking-around-at-the-front.-pn23-22.html